Caribbean island nation with volcanic nature, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are an ecotourism destination suitable also for a luxurious beach holiday. More than that, these less visited Caribbean islands are a great destination for sailing and diving, and a good place for enjoying the beaches, the Caribbean sun, and the lush tropical nature, which makes it very easy for you to forget the troubles of your everyday life.
The best known attraction of the main island of St Vincent is the hill-top fortification of Fort Charlotte that offers great views over the capital. The town contains also some interesting churches and cathedrals to be explored. If you want natural attractions, visit also the island's Botanical Gardens, which were established as early as in the 18th century, and have thus long traditions of introducing rare exotic plants and trees. There is also of course Caribbean rum and local nightlife to be enjoyed, which together with facilities for shopping in Saint Vincent are worth testing.
Tropical Saint Vincent consists of mountainous, volcanic nature, which opens interesting possibilities for nature-based tourism. The best beaches on the islands are located in the Grenadines, while St Vincent is home to some volcanic black sand beaches. The main natural attraction of the nation is the Soufriere volcano, which is a good destination for climbing and trekking on Saint Vincent. Also water sports, especially sailing and diving in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, are popular. As for special events, the nationwide high point of the calendar year is the carnival of Vincy Mas, which begins in the end of June and turns much of Saint Vincent into a colorful festival arena with music, arts and parties found everywhere.
Getting around. There are ferry connections and some local flights available for moving around between the islands. The main island has facilities for car rental on Saint Vincent available, but on the smaller islands of Grenadines, boats and walking are much better options for getting around.
Weather. Saint Vincent and Grenadines enjoy tropical climate with little seasonal variation.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a tranquil piece of the Caribbean beauty
Most of the tourism in Saint Vincent and Grenadines is concentrated on the small islands of the Grenadines to the south of the main island of the nation, Saint Vincent. The Grenadines are a popular yachting destination with the scenic Tobago Cays, the exclusive Mustique and the largest island Bequia with an interesting blend of cultures.The best known attraction of the main island of St Vincent is the hill-top fortification of Fort Charlotte that offers great views over the capital. The town contains also some interesting churches and cathedrals to be explored. If you want natural attractions, visit also the island's Botanical Gardens, which were established as early as in the 18th century, and have thus long traditions of introducing rare exotic plants and trees. There is also of course Caribbean rum and local nightlife to be enjoyed, which together with facilities for shopping in Saint Vincent are worth testing.
Tropical Saint Vincent consists of mountainous, volcanic nature, which opens interesting possibilities for nature-based tourism. The best beaches on the islands are located in the Grenadines, while St Vincent is home to some volcanic black sand beaches. The main natural attraction of the nation is the Soufriere volcano, which is a good destination for climbing and trekking on Saint Vincent. Also water sports, especially sailing and diving in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, are popular. As for special events, the nationwide high point of the calendar year is the carnival of Vincy Mas, which begins in the end of June and turns much of Saint Vincent into a colorful festival arena with music, arts and parties found everywhere.
Practical information for your trip to Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and Grenadines, also known as SVG, are an island group in the Lesser Antilles chain in the East Caribbean. The nation consists of the main island, Saint Vincent, and 32 small islands of the Grenadines. The nation is best reached by air through the airport of Kingstown, which offers flights to Saint Vincent and Grenadines mainly from other Caribbean locations. Several Grenadine Islands also have small airports.Getting around. There are ferry connections and some local flights available for moving around between the islands. The main island has facilities for car rental on Saint Vincent available, but on the smaller islands of Grenadines, boats and walking are much better options for getting around.
Weather. Saint Vincent and Grenadines enjoy tropical climate with little seasonal variation.
Photo: ctsnow, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Average monthly high temperatures in the islands are around 29–31⁰C throughout the year, and it is rare for the mercury to drop below 25⁰C. Usually, the period between January and May is the driest time of the year, and thus also the most popular time to visit Saint Vincent and Grenadines.
Free of mass tourism. Saint Vincent and Grenadines are not among the most popular choices for holiday destination in the Caribbean. Instead, the islands are quiet and tranquil places, which makes it very easy for you to forget the worries of your everyday life. Both the main island, Saint Vincent and the small islets of the Grenadines offer interesting facilities for visitors.
Visitor services. As for hotels in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, most visitors stay in beach resorts, where also services for restaurants in Saint Vincent and Grenadines are available. Even though theft and robberies are not that uncommon in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, this is a quite safe destination if you remember to avoid isolated areas after dark and keep your valuables hidden. English is the official language of the nation and is spoken with a distinctive Caribbean accent.
Short history of St Vincent and the Grenadines
Originally populated by Carib Indians, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was settled by British and French settlers, who also brought African slaves to the islands. A British colony since 1763, the nation gained full independence in 1979. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have suffered from hurricanes and volcanic eruptions and remain a largely agricultural economy. Today, the population of the islands is a multicultural mix of African, European, East Indian and Indigenous ancestry.hint See also these nearby destinations: Saint Lucia, Grenada
